QUINCY, MASS.—Next Step Living’s EcoThermal Filter System has earned the Green Restaurant Assn. endorsement by meeting its rigorous environmental endorsement standards.The EcoThermal Filter System can earn a restaurant up to nine GreenPoints towards becoming a Certified Green Restaurant. This one step can help restaurants achieve 90 percent of their energy requirements.“Installing an EcoThermal Filter System is a big step towards helping commercial kitchens save energy, while making use of what’s already in kitchens: the cook line,” says Michael Oshman, CEO and founder of the Green Restaurant Assn. “It’s not often that such an innovative product comes to the marketplace...

TAMPA, FLA.—Hasek Communications, the Tampa, Fla.-based publisher of Green Lodging News, welcomes Laundrylux Inc. as a Green Product & Service Directory partner in the “Ironers” category. According to Laundrylux, using a Electrolux IC4 4832 FLF series Ironer is a more efficient and faster way to dry linen than drying with hot air from a conventional dryer. What makes the Electrolux model so appealing is that it can be mounted against a wall and accomplish the work of four people with only one operator. The Ironer comes with automatic feeding and folding with the linen always returning to the operator....

The hospitality industry has made great strides in embracing green cleaning and its positive impact on the environment, corporate profitability and customers. According to the Green Hotels Assn., the hospitality industry is increasing eco-friendly purchasing and operations, as such matters are increasingly important to guests. Notably, one important aspect of green cleaning that also impacts hotel guests is laundry care. With new technologies in commercial laundry programs, today’s hoteliers have more options than ever when it comes to their on-premise laundry. Cold water washing, in particular, is gaining momentum as it has been shown to be able to boost customer...

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized the accomplishments of organizations and businesses participating in EPA’s Food Recovery Challenge and WasteWise program for reducing their climate footprint, improving efficiency, helping communities and achieving cost savings through waste reduction. These programs save money, protect the environment and feed the hungry. Among those recognized were MGM Resorts International and McCormick Place.  “In 2013, EPA’s Food Recovery Challenge participants diverted more than 370,000 tons of wasted food from entering landfills or incinerators,” said Mathy Stanislaus, Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response. “Of this total, more...

TRAVELERS REST, S.C.—EnviroPure Systems Inc., a T&S company, has introduced an ozone recirculation system as an optional addition to its on-site organic food waste disposal systems. The new feature eliminates the need to add fresh water during EnviroPure’s digestion process, relying instead on water that is naturally extracted from food waste as it processes through the system.EnviroPure, an organic food waste disposal system, breaks down food waste in 24 hours through a combination of mechanical processing and aerobic decomposition. The end result is a safe, grey water byproduct that meets, and often surpasses, municipal wastewater requirements. A 100 percent...

DENVER—Ice-O-Matic announces the launch of the ICE0856GA and the 50 Hz ICE0855GA series of ice machines, also known as “The Grande Cuber.” The new machines produce a Grande Cube that is more than twice the size of a standard, full-sized cube. The complete line of Grande Cubers will be on display at The North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers Show (NAFEM) from February 19 through February 21 at the Anaheim (Calif.) Convention Center. “As consumers become more knowledgeable about cocktailing, they’re demanding superior quality in every ingredient that goes into their glass—especially the ice,” said Ice-O-Matic Executive Vice...

NAPA, CALIF.—Napa Valley Marriott Hotel & Spa treats diners’ taste buds to a true garden-to-table experience year round. It may be winter, but the Napa Valley hotel’s on-site restaurant, VINeleven, is giving travelers a taste of sunny California with farm-fresh flavors. Incorporating vegetables, fruits and herbs that are grown in the gardens on-site, VINeleven provides an authentic Napa dining experience.Featuring over 2,000 square feet of raised and in-ground beds, an herb garden and communal dining table that serves 18 guests, The Heirloom Gardens are produced and planted 12 months a year, creating a constant flow of rich flavors and...

DENVER—Ice-O-Matic, a leading global manufacturer of ice machines, storage bins, and dispensers announced the appointment of Keith Kelly as President, effective February 1, 2015. In his new role, Kelly will be responsible for the day-to-day management of Ice-O-Matic and will report directly to Rich Gleitsmann, Chief Operating Officer of Ali Group North America.Kelly has an extensive background in the commercial foodservice equipment industry, including four years leading InterMetro’s international business and over 10 years at Ice-O-Matic as Vice President of Sales & Marketing. He most recently served as Executive Vice President at Ice-O-Matic.Kelly earned both a Bachelor of Arts...

MCLEAN, VA.—Hilton Worldwide announced Meet with Purpose, a concept designed to make it easier for meeting professionals to reduce waste and incorporate health and wellness into meetings and events. Meet with Purpose provides meeting professionals with sustainable choices to incorporate into events that not only enhance the experiences of attendees, but also align with many customers’ corporate responsibility goals. Inspired by Hilton’s corporate responsibility strategy, Travel with Purpose, Hilton gathered feedback from customers and sales Team Members to identify the most pressing sustainability issues for meetings and events. To meet these needs, Hilton created Meet with Purpose, supported by...

JOHNSTON, S.C.—Riegel div. Mount Vernon Mills, Inc. is turning plastic bottles into durable table linen. RieNu by Riegel is a 100 percent recycled polyester linen produced from Eco-Sure, a 100 percent post-consumer recycled PET as confirmed by Scientific Certification Systems. Simply put, one 20 x 20 napkin made from RieNu recycled polyester fabric eliminates three 16 oz. plastic bottles from our landfills. RieNu by Riegel aims to look and feel as touchable as Premier, a 100 percent spun polyester product. Quality tested and proven to perform equally as well, RieNu by Riegel is proven to maintain Premier’s high quality standards...